WALLABIES: Valentini back as Schmidt unleashes "fastest man in Australian rugby" on Boks

Not content with the shock win at Ellis Park, Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt wants to unleash “the fastest rugby player in Australia” against the Springboks in the second Castle Lager Rugby Championship test in Cape Town on Saturday.

Schmidt named a team that sports three changes, with Corey Toole, who went to the Olympics and has played for the Australian Sevens side before joining the Brumbies in Super Rugby Pacific, starting on the left wing for the injured Dyland Pietsch.

Pietsch broke his jaw in a collision with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi during the game and had to leave the field.

Toole has been a sensation for the Brumbies, and scored 11 tries for them in this year’s campaign, taking his career tally to 28 in 43 matches for the ACT side. According to Aussie media, his strike rate of 0.65 tries per game is the same as Wallaby star Israel Folau’s - when Folau set the Australian Super Rugby record of 60 tries in 92 matches.

Toole was also named World Rugby Sevens Rookie of the year in 2022 and can run an amazing 10.2 metres per second.

VALENTINI BACK FOR WALLABIES

The bad news for the Boks is that the Australians have strengthened their pack with the return of hard man Rob Valentini, who won back to back John Eales medals for being the best player in Australia. Valentini comes in at eight to replace the captain at Ellis Park Harry Wilson, who limped from the field after scoring two tries for his side.

Wilson’s club teammate Fraser McReight will skipper the side from the No 7 jersey. A former Australia Under 20s skipper, McReight will become the 91st player to captain Australia. He also took over as Captain in last weekend’s test after Harry Wilson left the field

Tom Robertson is the final change to the match day 23, starting at looshead after veteran James Slipper had to return home under the HIA protocols, and will pack down alongside Billy Pollard and Taniela Tupou in a rejigged front row.

Nick Frost and Will Skelton are again named as the second-row pair, with Tom Hooper completing the back five of the scrum.

WHITE ONLY PLAYER FROM CAPE TOWN 2014

After the win, the rest of the backline is unchanged with the experienced halves pairing of Nic White and James O’Connor White is the only player in the matchday 23 who was involved the last time the Wallabies played in Cape Town back in 2014.

Len Ikitau inches closer to his 50th cap for the Wallabies, starting at inside centre in his 45th appearance for his country. He’ll again partner with Joseph-Aukuso Suallii in the midfield, the outside centre scoring his first try in a gold jersey last Saturday.

Ellis Park star Tom Wright will start at fullback for the 18th time in the last 19 tests, with 20-year-old Max Jorgensen to line up on the right wing, completing the back three.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell and Zane Nonggorr are the substitute front row, with Jeremy Williams and Nick Champion de Crespigny the remaining forward cover.

Queensland skipper Tate McDermott is the reserve scrum-half, having shown his versatility again in Johannesburg, spending time on the wing before finishing the game at halfback. Sydney’s Tane Edmed is the replacement fly-half, with Andrew Kellaway finalising the matchday 23.

BRUISING ENCOUNTER EXPECTED

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The squad as a whole has recovered pretty well from what was a very draining and physical test match on the Highveld last week.

“We struggled to contain a powerhouse Springbok start last weekend, and we know that we have to improve leading into what’s likely to be a bruising encounter in Cape Town on Saturday night.”

The Springboks named their side on Tuesday, making 10 changes after their shock loss in Johannesburg.

Wallabies team to play South Africa at the Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturda,y August 16 at 5:10 pm SAST

1. Tom Robertson (33 tests) – #898; Dubbo Junior Rugby Club

2. Billy Pollard (11 tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby Club

3. Taniela Tupou (60 tests) - #917; Brothers Rugby

4. Nick Frost (30 tests) – #953; Hornsby Lions

5. Will Skelton (35 tests) - #883; The Hills Sports High School

6. Tom Hooper (14 tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs

7. Fraser McReight (c) (30 tests) – #937; Albany Creek Brumbies

8. Rob Valetini (53 tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

9. Nic White (74 tests) - #875, Maitland Blacks

10. James O’Connor (65 tests) - #832, St Joseph’s College, Nudgee